You Can't Air That: Four Cases of Controversy and Censorship in American Television Programming

In this illuminating book, David S. Silverman assesses four controversial television programs from the perspective of media history, assessing the censorship present at all four networks and the political and intellectual inertia it produces in broadcast television.

Beginning with The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in the sixties, the author also examines The Richard Pryor Show, TV Nation, and Politically Incorrect. Drawing on firsthand accounts by the writers, producers, and performers of these programs, Silverman offers an unbiased view of the ways in which censorship, sponsor intimidation, regulation, and network tampering force all American broadcasters to manipulate creative talent and stifle genuine controversy. Shedding new light on the prevalence of censorship in broadcast television, this book reinvigorates the subject of free speech in American society.

Author: David S. Silverman
Publisher: Syracuse University Press
Published: 11/01/2007
Pages: 181
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.82lbs
Size: 8.68h x 5.80w x 0.73d
ISBN: 9780815631507

Review Citation(s):
Reference and Research Bk News 02/01/2008 pg. 243

About the Author
David S. Silverman is a professor at Valley City State University, Valley City, North Dakota, where he teaches a variety of communications and writing courses.